Rutherglen Muscat

Rutherglen Muscat is a fortified dessert wine hailing from the Rutherglen wine region in North East Victoria. The wines are made from Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge—one of the red small-berried varieties belonging to the Muscat family that is usually called Brown Muscat or Rutherglen Brown Muscat.

These rich and luscious wines are a result of a unique climate and regional wine practices. The grapes are left longer on the wine because of stable, dry, and sunny weather, allowing sugar to become more concentrated. The wines are fortified to retain sugar and are then aged in wood using a solera system.

The main classification includes three styles (Rutherglen, Classic, Grand, and Rare), which mainly depend on age. These wines can vary from lighter entry styles to more complex examples. They are usually rich and luscious, with raisin, caramel, and nutty aroma.